Legal Document Overview

Before you are introduced as a married couple, we will complete and sign numerous documents.

I have listed many of the documents that couples and individuals are required to complete - however this is not a full comprehensive list, as there are endless personal circumstances for individuals and couples.

General Documentation

Birth Certificates

Your original birth certificate showing your date of birth and the place of your birth is a required document for both the bride and groom. For Australian born parties, a birth certificate or birth extract is preferred, however if you cannot obtain a birth certificate, an Australian passport that is current is acceptable.

Driver Licences

In addition to your original birth certificate/passport you should produce a current photographic driver licence that shows your current residential address.

Australian Citizens

It is permissable for an Australian citizen to use their original and current passport as identification for marriage purposes. If for some reason you have unique identification details, then please let me assist you to work through this.

Foreign Citizens

Original Current Passports which show your date of birth and location of birth are acceptable.Original Birth Certificate it is very important that your attention to providing these documents is met.

It is possible for just your passport to be provided or your birth certificate, however it is preferred to see both, as photo ID is required to confirm that you are the person(s) being lawfully married.

In some circumstances, foreign citizens have to return to their home country to have their visa reissued, as this cannot be done while they are here in Australia. "Imagine that"; the expense and time taken, which could simply be avoided by checking requirements first.

I will assist you to ensure that your documents meet the lawful requirements within Australia, and that of your own country.

Department of Immigration:www.immi.gov.auPh: 131880

Fiance Visa - marrying an Australian Citizen does not automatically qualify you for Australian Citizenship.It is usual for a fiance visa to last for nine months (9).

Letter for immigration advising of proposed marriage.If you have confirmation of your booked wedding and completion of the required Form 13 of Commonwealth of Australia, the celebrant you have booked to perform your wedding can assist you with a letter to confirm that they are marrying you.

This should assist you with the requirements to obtain a fiance visa.

After two years, a person may seek residency in Australia.There is no guarantee that residency or citizenship will be granted.

Notice of Intention to Marry Application ( NOIM )

To achieve the booking of your wedding ceremony date and process, I will provide you with the Notice of Intention to Marry Application.

You are required to complete the Notice of Intention to Marry application, this is a simple document that takes only a few moments, and I am able to assist you.

The completion of this document is of a mandatory nature, and is significant to the lawful process of your intent to marry.

It must be completed and submitted to me no less than one full calendar month + 1 day prior to your ceremony date, and no longer than 18months before your scheduled ceremony. (There is an exception to the 1 month lodgement, only if you qualify for a shortening of time, in that you cannot wait for the full month; however there exist strict qualifying legal conditions which must be satisfied, including the approval by an registered authority.)

Prior MarriagesDecree or Nullity or Divorce Order ( Original Document)

If either of you have been married previously, then there are legal documents for you to produce, these will confirm the decree or nullity of your previous marriage.I will assist you to know which documents you may need to bring along with you to ourinterview.

Foreign Marriages & Divorces require provision of official certificates; confirmation of these lawful processes will be required.

As a Qualified Justice of the Peace combined with ongoing Celebrant Professional Qualifications, covering off current and recent government changes within the marriage act 1961, marriage regulations 1963, the code of practice and other relevant acts, I am skilled to complete these documents with you.

Happily Ever Before and After PamphletThis is a brochure that I provide to each of you, relating to pre marital education, counselling and coaching services available to you. I will also provide to you a comprehensive list of family services available to you within the location of your home.

Wedding Ceremony Documents and Certificates

Declaration of Intent

Completed, signed and witnessed as near to the actual day of your marriage. It must be completed and signed by all parties, prior to your ceremony. { Usually at rehearsals we sign this document together }Declarations as to your current conjugal status and that you have no legal impediment to the marriage, are included within this official and legally binding declaration.

Wedding Day Certificate(s)

This document is the Official Wedding Day Certificate that you and your 2 witnesses and the celebrant will sign on your wedding day, during the signing of the register.Celebrant completes this documentation for you.

The witnesses that you select ( minimum 2 people age 18+) at your ceremony, will be required to sign this document after you are declared to be husband and wife, usually during the register signing part of your ceremony. { After your kiss } usually.

Therefore it is important that you select witnesses that are both capable and willing. Please ensure that you secure this certificate away safely; because it is one of a kind, and you will not ever secure this document again into the future.

Official Marriage CertificateI will make application on your behalf to the Brisbane Births Deaths & Marriages Registrar office. You will choose the style of certificate, and you will advise me of your choice. Following your marriage ceremony, I will upload the official documentation and generally within 24 hours you will receive a directive to pay email from the Registrar's office.

Once you successfully transfer/make the payment to the Registry Office, the official marriage certificate is posted directly to you.

Your choices include the Standard Official Marriage Certificate - OR the Decorative Commemorative Certificate Packs.The difference in cost is minimal, the majority of couples select the decorative commemorative pack, which offers you a lovely decorative certificate, in addition to the Standard Lawful Certificate which is a plain text certificate.

Statutory Declaration

I have a supply of Statutory Declarations and if you are required to complete a Stat Dec I will advise you and assist you with the process.

As a Qualified Justice of the Peace within Queensland, I can witness other documents that you may have to process which require a witness of such qualification.

Love Commitment Ceremonies

The only document for you to officially complete will be our celebrant couples contract.

There are no other legal documents required to be completed by you.

Whichever symbol you select that best represents your meaningful union, will be respected and delightfully shared in your ceremony.

Think about your vows to each other and imagine your ceremony format; this is a great place to start.

Certificate by Interpreter (Form 24)

NAATI certified interpreter will be required if any party to the ceremony including witnesses, is unable to understand the languages of the marrying couple and/or the celebrant.

The interpreter must provide a certificate of the faithful services of his or her duties as interpreter.

A Statutory Declaration will be required confirming that the interpreter understands, and is able to converse in, the language in which the ceremony is spoken and the language of the interpretation.

(These documents are sent with the official marriage documents to Births, Deaths and Marriages.)

Other Legal Documents:

Dependant on the circumstances and nature of your marriage and your family history, there could be numerous other documents required to ensure that you are meeting all lawful requirements within The Commonwealth of Australia.

For many of you it will be a simple process to gather and collate your documents, for others it may require some additional correspondence and research.

Whichever ceremony you are considering I wish to encourage you to think about the choice of pre marriage coaching, counselling and education services.

Please view the ceremony services I provide to better understand the ritual and ceremony style that will potentially suit you both. Of course if you have other ceremony ideas, I will work with you to achieve them.

Celebrants ObligationA professional and registered celebrant is obligated to provide you with their contract for services provided, and to provide you with clear details on how you may make a formal complaint against them if they do you a disservice outside of their Code of Conduct, and your signed contract.

When we speak I will quickly determine by learning a little about you, which documents to select to suit your personal needs.

Change of Name Documents:

Only the formal change of name certificate issued by the Births Deaths Marriages in your state of birth, is the accepted legal document to confirm your legal name.

Legal Age:Are you age 18 and over?

It is Australian law that the legal age to marry is age 18.

Exceptions:

Only under exceptional circumstances one party only of the marrying couple, may lawfully marry prior to the age of 18 years of age. It is however strictly regulated and a solicitor is recommended to assist you if you are seeking to marry under age 18.

It is not permissable for two persons under age 18 to marry within Australia.

If you require assistance to contact a legal representative please feel free to contact me, so that I may assist you to pursue this need.

Adopted Parties:

There are simple official documentation needs which I can assist you with.

Widows Widowers:

As you prepare for this next wonderful phase of your life, there are documents from your previous marriage to provide.

Please bring with you the official record or death certificate from your previous married husband or wife.

Secure Information:

All celebrants are required by law to securely store all documentation and notes relating to our clients.

I take seriously the protection of your privacy and of your valuable documents.

Commitment Ceremonies:No legal documents:

Wherever you choose to hold your commitment ceremony, I assure you that you will be fully supported by me throughout the planning, writing your vows and making your day as special to each other as you each are.

There are no legal documents for you to complete, should you choose not to lawfully marry.See Ceremonies Page

Renewal of Vows:No Legal DocumentsDid you marry away from your family and friends?

Perhaps you were unable to hold a ceremony when you initially married.

A renewal of Vows ceremony is very similar to your actual original wedding, however is a reaffirmation of your vows, and not a legal marriage.

Providing the ceremony clearly states that it is not a marriage ceremony, we can create the most beautiful ceremony to recognise your ongoing love and commitment to each other.See Ceremonies Page

Name Giving Ceremonies:

There are no legal documents required:

This special ceremony is very popular for many families, and can be created to suit your wishes.

Whether adopting a surname or purely to recognise the significance of the child within your family and circle of significant friends within yours and your child's life, this ceremony is a beautiful option to consider.See Ceremonies Page

Rite of Passage Ceremony:No Legal Documents Required

Moving from childhood to young adulthood is time for celebration.

Formerly a confirmation, bar mitzvah, or communion recognised this important phase in their childs life.

This ceremony is becoming popular for young adults in an increasingly secularsociety.See Ceremonies Page

Pet/Companion Memorials:No Legal Documents

We love our pets and enjoy their love in return.

A special ritual/symbolic service can assist family to better adjust, after the loss of a cherished pet. See Ceremonies Page